SCDC receives city funds

COOS BAY — The Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency resolved a strained
relationship with the South Coast Development Council by agreeing
to pay it $15,625 for services in 2008-09.

The agreement came after Interim City Manager Rodger Craddock
and City Manager Rodger Craddock met with SCDC officials earlier in
the month to negotiate the settlement.

The city’s former city manager had suggested a $25,000 contract
between the agency and SCDC had been voided, but Craddock found
that not to be the case.

He said SCDC officials pointed to several examples of work
conducted on behalf of the city’s URA, including talks with Lowe’s
and Fred Meyer. The former had looked at property within the
downtown urban renewal district, while Fred Meyer had considered
remodeling or relocating from its existing facility on First
Street.

The SCDC was involved in those discussions, as well as talks
about getting access and rail crossings to the Central Dock
property, Craddock said.

“They did provide work on behalf of the city,” he said.

Daily said he views the payment as support for the SCDC as it
regroups following the loss of its former director, Ron Opitz, who
died this past winter. The council, which serves as a central
clearinghouse to recruit businesses to the area, hired Sandra
Messerle about a month later.

“I’m confident we are likely to get our money’s worth out of
SCDC with her at the helm,” said Daily.

Daily had previously suggested the city didn’t need to pay the
SCDC because work wasn’t performed but he said he was satisfied
that some services had been provided.

Craddock said a $25,000 agreement for this year will pay SCDC
based on time spent working on district projects.

The agency voted 6-1 in favor of the payment for work in
2008-09, the lone dissenting vote coming from Stephanie Kramer.

“I still don’t feel we owe this money,” she said.

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